Traffic Engineering and Operations Office

Pavement Marking

The most basic form of motorist information is the variety of pavement markings on streets and highways. These
stripes, shapes and symbols denote the rules of the road by giving lane boundaries, guides for turning,
crosswalk locations, and warnings of potential hazards. Pavement markings work in conjunction with road signs
and traffic signals to give motorists a clear picture of the highway's characteristics. Because pavement
markings are directly in the driver's view of the road, they offer an effective means of communication.

The FDOT is authorized under Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes and the Federal Highway Administration's
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to provide the state with a uniform system of traffic
signs and signals. Florida has incorporated by state administrative rule the MUTCD, which includes standards
for the use of pavement markings. Through this standardized approach, motorists can count on having
recognizable, consistent markings that are easily understood.